Dispenser



Nov. so, 1948. UMNER, JR. 12,455,212

DISPENSER Filed April 11. 1945 I INVENTORI. MAL/14A! Z. 1540/11/1 5/2 4/2.

ST LOW Patented Nov. 30, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSER h l William L. Baumner, J12, enkintown, Pa. Application April 11, 1945, Serial No. 587,732

This invention relates to dispensers and it relates more particularly to apparatus for dispensing cleansing or detergent compositions of the character employed in dish washing machines and similar devices.

In dish washing machines, in order to compensate or make up for the cleansing material carried off by the dishes or the like as they leave the washing section for subsequent rinsing, it has heretofore been customary to employ dispensing devices to supply the additional cleansing material, usually alkaline in character, .to the wash water. The dispensers heretofore available have been objectionable in various respects and have not proven wholly satisfactory. 'One of the most frequent causes of difficulty in the prior dispensers has been clogging up of the dispenser by particles of food or the like left on the dishes, thereby preventing proper make up of cleansing material. Another frequent cause of trouble with prior dispensers has been the lack of control of the rate of make up of detergent or cleansing material which in some instances is due to the introduction of excessive quantities of wash water into the dispenser, and in other instances to the variation in rate of supply which initially is high but decreases as the quantity of available cleansing'material in the dispenser is reduced.

In accordance with the present invention a dispenser is provided which has a readily variable control of the output of cleansing material, and which is free from likelihood of interruption in use.

In accordance with the present invention also, a dispenser is provided in which the quantity of liquid entering the dispenser is controlled in a simple yet effective manner for controlling the delivery of the make up of the cleansing material.

In accordance with the present invention, also, a dispenser is provided which is reliable in its operation, effective in its action and simple in its construction.

Other advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the annexed specification and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical central sectional view showing certain details of the dispenser; and

4 Claims. (01. 206-05) Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view taken of the under l changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the dispenser, in accordance with the present invention, preferably includes a hollow cylindrical 'a downwardlyextending rim ll.

container Ill having a bottom wall or floor H and a sidewall l2, made of alkaline resistant materialor of material having an alkaline resistant covering or coating. The container in is preferably supported on suitable legs I3 for elevating the bottornwall or floor ll of the container In above the support (not shown) in the washing compartment of the dish washing ma chine or the like.

A discharge opening 14 is provided, preferably located in the side wall l2 of the container H), and preferably also spaced above the bottom wall or floor it so that a shallow pool of liquid can be continuously maintained in the bottom portion of thecontainer Ill. 7

The container I0 is preferably covered at the top thereof with a lid l5 which may be removed for filling or ,for refilling the container. The lid l5 preferablyhas a horizontal flat portion l6 and v I At thecentral part of the lid I5 a control cap I8 is provided preferably having a flat top l9 and a vertical cylindrical side wall 20. The cap l8 also has a threaded stem 21 secured thereto and extending downwardly through a nut 22 secured to the lid 55 at the central part thereof. The flat portion to of the lid i5 is also provided with a plurality of openings 23 spaced around the center of the lid and preferably beneath the cap l8. so as to be within the confines of the Wall 20. The height of the cap 58 with respect to the flat portion I B of the lid l5 may be adjusted by turning the cap for purposes to be explained.

The interior of the container Ill is preferably filled with a briquet or cake or may be filled with granules, pellets or lumps (not shown), preferably of substantially uniform size, of soluble detergent or cleansing material and the lid [5 is placed in position on the container. The container I6 is placed in the washing machine at a location Where it will be struck by falling water from the washing sprays, either on or adjacent the water strainer pans and above the sump. A portion of the Wash water which is discharged and falls in the washing section strikes the exposed surface of the cap l8 and the exposed surface of the flat portion l6 of the lid l and a part of this water, the quantity of which is determined by amount of the splashing, the size of the openings 23 which are made relatively large and the location or spacing of the cap is with respect to the lid 15, enters the container Ill and comes into contact with the soluble cleansing material provided therein; The cap 18 also prevents the entrance of solid particles of material, thereby avoiding clogging. A pool is provided in the bottom of the container I0 by reason of the location of the discharge opening 14, so that as additional water enters, the saturated solution of detergent or cleansing material in the pool is discharged through the discharge opening 14 and is available for make up.

If more detergent material is supplied than is desired the cap [8 may be readily adjusted so as to be closer'to the flat portion IE to reduce the amount of'liqu'id passing therebeneath and entering the container 10 through the openings 23 or if a la er quantity of detergent r c an materialjis desired the cap l8 may be turned to position it further away from thelflat portion IE or the lid l5, whereby a larger quantity of liquid is permitted to enter the container l0 through the openings 23, with increased discharge through the schar-se ing j I' claim: v

1."I n a dispenser for soluble cleansing material, a container for the cleansing material having a closed bottom wall, the lower portion of said conta herhaving a discharge opening spaced above the bottom wall for the discharge of solute materialja closure for the top of said container having openings therein for splash introduction of fluid solvent, and means for controlling the introduction of said solvent through said openings comprising a control member spaced above said openings; and a member for variably adjusting the elevation of said control member with respect to said openings. 1

2. 'In a dispenser for soluble cleansing material, a container for the cleansing material, the lower portion of said container having a discharge opening for the delivery of solute material, a closure for the top of said container, said closure having a, horizontal surface portion provided with a plurality of openings for splash introduction of 4 fluid solvent into the interior of said container, a cap member having a downwardly extending rim, and an adjustable connection between said closure member and said cap member for vertical adjustment of said cap member with respect to said openings.

3. In a dispenser for soluble cleansing material, a container for the cleansing material, the lower portion of said container having a discharge opening for the delivery of solute material from the interior of said container, a closure for the top of said container, said closure having a horizontal surface portion provided with a plurality of openings for splash introduction of fluid solvent into the interior of said container, a cap member, and a stem on said cap member in threaded engagement with said closure for vertical adjustment of said cap member with respect to said horizontal surface portion and said open- 1.ngs.

4. In a dispenser for soluble cleansing material, a container 'for the cleansing material, the lower portion of said container having a discharge opening for the delivery of solute material from the interior of said container, a closure for the top of said container, said closure having a horizontal surface'portion provided with a plurality of openings for splash introduction of fluid solvent into the interior of said container, a cap member having a downwardly extending rim, said openings being within the confines of said rim, a stem on said cap member in threaded engagement with said closure for vertical adjustment of said cap member with respect to said horizontal surface portion and said openings.

WILLIAM L. BAUMNER, JR.

REFERENCES orrso The following references are .of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,931,132 Hinckley Oct. 17, 1933 

